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Cash & Expenses
Reduce property taxes for homeowners
School Tax Relief Program (STAR) | NYS Department of Taxation/ NYC Department of Finance
1. How it Works
STAR provides property tax relief to New York State’s homeowners. It lowers the tax burden on New York residents who live in school districts.
- Basic STAR is for homeowners whose total household income is $500,000 or less. The benefit is estimated to be a $293 credit.
- Enhanced STAR is for homeowners 65 and older whose total household income for owners and spouses who live with them is $88,050 or less. The benefit is estimated to be a $650 credit.
- If you’re eligible for the STAR credit, you’ll receive a check for the amount of your STAR savings
- Senior citizens getting STAR may also be eligible for the Senior Citizens Homeowners’ Exemption (SCHE)
- You do not need to register for STAR if you are a longtime homeowner with an existing STAR exemption
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More ways to get help with this program
Visit the website
Visit the STAR website for more information.
Email STAR
Email the NYC Department of Finance if you have question about STAR.
Call 311
Ask about the School Tax Relief Program.
Visit a center
Find a center to get help in person.
2. Determine your eligibility
There are two types of STAR credits: Basic STAR and Enhanced STAR. To be eligible for both, you should be able to answer yes to all of these questions:
- Is the property the primary home of at least one of the owners?
- Do you live in one of the following types of housing?
- a house
- a condo
- a cooperative apartment
- a manufactured home
- a farm house
- a mixed-use property, including apartment buildings (only the owner-occupied portion is eligible)
For Basic STAR, you should also be able to answer yes to this additional question:
- Is the combined income of all owners who live in the home and their spouses $500,000 a year or less?
For Enhanced STAR, you should also be able to answer yes to these additional questions:
- Will you, or one of your siblings or spouse who live in the home, be 65 or older by December 31st?
- Is the combined income of all owners who live in the home and their spouses $88,050 a year or less?
Take a short survey to see if you might be eligible for this or 30 other programs.
Am I Eligible?Next section:
3. What you need to include
It’s important to include the right documents when you apply. Your documents show whether the program is right for you.
This page can help you choose the right documents for your application.
Proof of who you are
For each person applying, any one document:
- Birth certificate (original or certified copy)
- Driver’s license or official photo I.D.
- Passport
Proof of your income
For each income source of each income earner, any one document:
Wages & Salary
- Income tax return
- W-2 form
Unemployment Income
- 1099-G
Social Security Benefits (SSI, Dependent, Disability, Survivor’s, or Retirement)
- Correspondence from Social Security Administration
- Current award letter or certificate
- Current benefit check
Pensions, Annuities, or IRA
- 1099-R
Interest, Dividends, or Royalties
- 1099-DIV
- 1099-INT
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4. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply online
You can register for the STAR credit online in just a few minutes. Your application will be reviewed automatically to see if you are eligible for Basic or Enhanced STAR.
Apply by mail
If you will be 65 or older by December 31, 2020 and have had a STAR exemption on your property since 2015 or before, you can apply for Enhanced STAR. Apply with the NYC Department of Finance by completing the “STAR to ESTAR” application.
If you had a Basic STAR exemption on your property since 2015 or before, and have since lost it, you can apply to restore your STAR exemption by completing the STAR Benefit Restoration application.
Apply by phone
If your income is greater than $250,000 and less than or equal to $500,000, you must apply for the STAR credit with New York State. Learn more or contact the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance at 518-457-2036.
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More ways to get help with this program
Visit the website
Visit the STAR website for more information.
Email STAR
Email the NYC Department of Finance if you have question about STAR.
Call 311
Ask about the School Tax Relief Program.
Visit a center
Find a center to get help in person.